Trends in the soap and detergent industry in Asia/Japan

Abstract

In Asia, except in a few countries where the soap and detergent industry is well developed, the production and consumption of soaps and detergents are low as compared with those in Western Europe and North America, and the ratio of detergent to soap is also low. But there are opportunities for future development and expansion of the industry. The course of future development, however, may differ from country to country depending on the national situation and the standard of living. The development of soaps and detergents in Asia should be made by closely relating their forms and formulas to the way of washing, the lifestyle, and customs in each country. As for the trend and situation in Japan, the problems confronted by soap and detergent makers are essentially the same as those faced by makers in Europe and America.